Liberty vs Sparks Odds: New York Looks For A Hollywood Ending
Liberty Gave Backers a Bad Beat in First Meeting
Liberty Favored Slightly More in Rematch with Sparks
Despite an upsetting result on Sunday, the New York Liberty get a slightly larger spread now against the Los Angeles Spark. New York faded in garbage time versus Los Angeles and failed to cover the 8.5-point spread. This time, the Liberty vs Sparks odds see the favorites as nine-point faves. The team will need to end this rematch better to get back its disappointing results.
New York Liberty (19-6) vs Los Angeles Sparks (9-16)
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Liberty Still Struggling Against the Sparks
The Liberty haven’t had much success playing against the Sparks regardless of how each team looks. This season, New York is second in the WNBA standings and is behind just Las Vegas when it comes to WNBA title odds. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is plagued with injuries and is likely to miss the playoffs. And yet New York still struggles on the betting lines.
New York’s blown cover on Sunday dropped it 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in its last five games versus Los Angeles. The Sparks covered three of its last four games as an underdog. And last game, the Liberty appeared ready to blow out the Sparks until the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles outscored New York 29-18 in the final frame with Nneka Ogwumike, its best player, sitting out. New York’s 19-point lead got whittled down and the team failed to cover the 8.5-point spread.
But the consensus feels the Liberty won’t be caught “napping” again. The team is significantly better, hence the Liberty vs Sparks odds.
Breanna Stewart handily posted lofty WNBA stats of 25 points, nine boards, and three blocks on 50% shooting. The 2018 MVP now also has Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to form a “Big Three” that should be more than enough to take out the undermanned Liberty.
They lead the Liberty to the second-best offense in the WNBA (109.6 offensive rating). It’s the team’s defense that can get slack, hence why the Liberty are just 9-15-1 ATS this season. But on the other hand, betting ‘over’ on the totals has been profitable. Six of the team’s last eight games have trended that way.
Sparks Get a Bit More Leeway For a Backdoor Cover
The Sparks saw their two-game winning streak snapped against the Liberty. But the good news is that the team covered the spread. It improved to 10-14-1 on the WNBA odds. It did the unconventional way as its bench players, and Jordin Canada, piled on some points late in the game for a backdoor cover. Now, nine points is a bit more room to work with.
Los Angeles continues to fight to keep its spot in the playoffs. Ogwumike and Canada are carrying the team with everyone pitching in, especially on defense.
The team is allowing the fourth-fewest points (81.9), which is the main reason why the team is not worse than its 9-16 record. The Sparks only average 78.5 points per game, which is more than only one WNBA team: the 6-18 Phoenix Mercury.
This team will continue to be a lively underdog as seen on the Liberty vs Sparks odds. But the team needs several of its key players back – and it’s looking like Chiney Ogwumike, Nneka’s sister, is not returning any time soon.
And opposite to New York, Los Angeles’s games tend to go under the total. Four of its last five have. While Ogwumike and Canada can be potent scorers, the team just does not have the personnel to keep up with New York if it becomes a shootout. Hence, bank on this team to try to drag this one out as it did on Sunday.
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